Machine for putting up tamales



Jan. 3, 1928. 1,654,871

J. A. GAGE ET AL MACPIINE FOR PUTTING UP TAMALES Filed Feb. 5, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,ZZQDZ,

Jan. 3,

J. A. GAGE ET AL- MACHINE FOR PUTTING UP TAMALES Filed Feb. 5, 1925 4 heets-Sheet 2 JAGa J mam J. A. GAGE ET AL MACHINE FOR PUTTING UP TAMALES Jan. 3, 1928. 1,654,871

Filed Feb. 5, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 3, 1928. 1,654,871

. J. A. GAGE ET AL MACHINE FOR PUTTING UP TAMALES Filed Feb. s, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 3 32; Z a i PM Jan. 3, 1928. 4

UNITED 'STATES 1,654,871 PATENT OFFICE.

3mm A. GAGE m m H. JOHNSON, OI TEXAS.

nacmroa minute we mums.

Application fled February a, 1925. Serial m. 6,819.

This invention aims to provide novel means for shaping, wrapping, creasing, severin and delivering material. The machine is 0 general application, but, in order to avoid useless repetition, it will be p e-supposed that the device is to be used in connection with the making of'tamales.

The machine is so constructed that it will deliver the material in a stream upon a continuous wrappergin the form of a strip. The wrapper and the material are advanced through a folder to' engage the wrapper about the stream of material transversely.

The wrapped material is creased crosswise at intervals. The wrapped material is severed at spaced creases, to form a product which may be doubled, to bring its ends together, before it is inserted into a can, and finally, the material, after it has been severed, is conveyed away to any accessible place where the packing in cans may be carried out conveniently.

Broadly stated, the object of the invention is to carry out some or all of the foregoing steps in properly timed relation, a

mechanism being provided whereb this may be done. Structural features will be emphasized, as the descriptionproceeds and as the claims develop. It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally, and to enhance the utility of, devices of that sort to which the invention appertains.

In the accompanying drawingz-Fi re 1 shows in side elevation, a tam e mac ine constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure -2 is a top plan; Figure 3 is an end elevation wherein arts are omitted; Figure 4 is a fragmenta horizontal section showing one end of the frame and the driving mechanism.- which is carried thereby; Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal section taken througl the hopper; Figure 6 is a fraginental longitudinal section showing a portion of the mechanism whereby thepiod+ net is creased transversely; Figure 7 is a transverse section illustrating the cutting mechanism and parts which are adjacent thereto; Figure 8 is an elevation showing a slight modification in the hopper and de-' livery mechanism; Fi re 9 is an elevation whei ein the device of i re 8 is viewed at right angles to the show ng of that figure; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the folder; Figure llfis a cross section on the line 11-11of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a cross section on the line 1212 of Figure 10;

Figure 13 is a section taken throu h the The device'forniing the-subject matter of i this application comprises a frame 1 which may be variously constructed. It is not necessary to describe in detail all of the structural elements of the frame. Let it sufiice to state that the frame, enerally considered, is in the form of a. tab e, including a platform 2 carried by pairs of le 3-3, 4-4 and 5 5. For convenience in ocating and describing the various parts of the machine, that end of the frame 1 to which the refer-' ence letter A is applied will be considered the forward end of the frame, whereas that end of the frame which is desi ated by the reference letter B will be considered as the rear end of the frame. The forward end of the frame 1 has an extension 6.

For the propulsion of the various movable parts of the device, an actuating mechanism is supplied, the same comprising a drive shaft 7, extended longitudinally- .of the machine and journaled on the frame 1, below the platform 2, at the forward end of the frame. There are pulleys 8 on the shaft 7 a sprocket wheel 15 which is engaged by a chain 16 cooperating, as per Figure 3, with a sprocket wheel 17 on the rear end of-a shaft 18, which may be called asupplementary shaft, the shaft 18 being located parallel to the shafts 7 and 14 and being journaled above the v on the she t 18 receives a c ain 20 extended inwardly toward the longitudinal center of the frame 1 and engaged about a sprocket wheel 21 on a shaft 22 extended longitudinally of the frame 1 at the median line thereof. The shaft 22 is journaled at one end in bearings located above the platform 2, as shown in Figure 2, the rear end of the shaft being journaled in a bearing 23 (Figlatform 2. A s rocket wheel 19 veyor 30, operating ure 5) forming part of a cap 24 on the horizonta neck 25 of an upstanding hopper 26, the hopper being held above the plat orm 2 (Figure 1) by brackets 27 (Figure 2) The hopper 26 has a vertical inlet 28 and 1s provided, in front of the inlet, with a removable closure 29. The shaft 22 carries a screw conin the lower rtion of the hop er 26 (Figure 5) and in the neck 25 of the hopper. A universal joint 31 (Figs. 1 and 2) is interposed in the shaft 22 and is located in front of the hopper 2 6. The neck 2.5 of the hopper 26 carries, at lts rear end, any desired number of valve casings 32 assembled with-.- the cap 24. The valve casings 32 are equipped with rearwardly-extended and downwardly inclined spouts 34of which there .ma be as many or as few as is considered e 35 (Figure 13) operate in the casings 32 and regulate the flow of material through the spouts 34, the valves being carried y shafts 36, mounted to rock in the valve casings 32, and under the governance of handles 37 which extend from the shafts 36, externally of the valve casings 32.

The mechanism as thus far described, embodies means whereby a stream of tamale material may be delivered. The operation of the aforesaid portion of the machine is as follows The tamale material enters the hopper 26 throughthe inlet 28 and is advanced by the screw conveyor 30 through the neck 25, the material flowing through the spouts 34, under the control of the valves 35. The driving train for the screw conveyor shaft 22 embodies the followin elements: the belt 9, one of the pulleys 8, t e shaft 7, the pinion 11, the gear wheel 12, the auxiliary shaft 14, the sprocket wheel 15, the sprocket chain 16, the sprocket wheel 17, the supplementary shaft 18, the sprocket wheel. 19, the chain 20, and the sprocket wheel 21, which is carried by the shaft 22.

In the modification disclosed in Figures 8 and 9, the extension 38 of the -ho per is -vert-ically distposed, and is rovid at its lower end wi a transverse ead 39 having a plurality of downwardl and rearwardly inclined spouts 40, there ing four of the spouts, and Figures 8 and 9 emphasizing the fact that there may be any desired number of spouts. The screw conveyor in the part 38 is designated b the numeral 41 and is operated by a sha 42.

Folders 43 are provided, one of the folders being shown in detail in Figure 10. The folders 43 are mounted on the platform 2 by means of brackets 44 and extend longitudinally of the platform, the folders pro- 'ecting forwardly beneath the hopper 26.

e forward end of each folder 43 1s slightly trou .h-shaped as shown at 45. The side walls 0 the older 43 are divergent at the ant. Valves forward end of the folder, but as they extend rearwardly, the side walls, denoted by the numeral 46, assume a converging relation with respect to each other, and at the rear end of the folder are overlapped and spaced, as shown at 47 in Figures 10 and 11, so that the rear end of the folder takes the form of a tube 48. The extension 6 of the frame 1 carries a shaft 49 whereon are journaled spools 50 carrying the rolls of wrapper 100 wherein the tamale material is inclosed, the wrapper being flexible, and being made of any desired substance, either edible or inedible. The wrapper, proceeding from the spools 50, passes across a support 52 on the extension 6 on the frame 1, and, thence, runs beneath the hopper 26 and extends lengthwise of the folder -43. From the spout 34, the tamale material is delivered as indicated atv 53 in Figurev 10, upon the wrapper 100 as the wrapper traverses the folder 43. Figures 10, 11 and 12 make it evident that when the wrapper and the tamale material are advanced through the folder 43, the wrapper will be engaged about the material transversel the product, up to this point, being in e form of a cylinder whlch moves continuousl throu h the folder 43, toward the rear emf B of t e machine. The means whereby the wrapper and the tamale material are caused to move lon itudinally of the folder 43 will be descri ed'hereinafter.

A shaft 54 extends transversely of the machine near to the rear end thereof and is mounted on the upper ends of the legs 3, above the platform 2. The shaft 54 carries a sprocket wheel 55. Radius arms 56 extend forwardly from the shaft 54 and are mounted at their rear ends to swing on the shaft 54. The forward ends of the radius arms 56 carry a shaft 57 supporting a'sprobket wheel 58, a sprocket chain 59 being gaged about the sprocket wheels 55 and 58,

the chain 59 having transverse cleats 60.

A shaft 61 (Figs. 1 and 7) is journaled in the frame 1 at a point closely adjacent to the rear end of the frame. A shaft 62 (Figs. 1 and 6) is mounted in the frame 1 at a point near the rearends of the folders 43, the shaft 62 carrying a sprocket wheel 64, and there being a sprocket wheel 63 on the shaft 61. The sprocket wheels 63 and 64 operate a sprocket chain 65 havin transverse cleats 66 supported at theirie'n (Figure 7) on guides 67 which extend lon tudinall of the platform 2 (Figs. 1 ang 2) The c eats 66 o the chain 65 cooperate with the cleats 60 of the chain 59.

A sprocket wheel 68 is carried by the shaft 61 near to one end of the shaft (Fig. 7) a sprocket chain 69 (Fig. 1) being l pinion 75,

- shaft 80. The

rotation on the legs 4 of the frame. Fi ure 4 shows that a gear wheel 72 on the sha 71 meshes with a pinion 73 (Fig. 3) on a transverse shaft 74 journaled on the frame, a bcveled inion 75 on the shaft 74 meshi g with a velcd pinion 7 6 on the rear end ogvtvhe shaft 14.

\ henthe chains 59 and 65 are operated,

the cleats 60 on the chain 59 and cleats 66 on the chain 65 coope ped material through the folder 43 and, er, they serve to crease the wrapped material transversely, as indicated at 77 m Figure 1. The material, being interposed between the cleats 66 of the chain 65, and the cleats 60 of the chain 59, imparts movement to the chain 59 from the chain 65. Because the sprocket wheel 58' is carried by the radius arms 56 which, in turn, are mounted to swing on the shaft 54, the lower run of the sprocket chain 59 is held down securely on the wrapped material, so as to embed the cleats 60 of the chain 59 in the wrapped material. Further, should occasion demand, the

operator may swing the radius arms 56 upwardly and backwaTrdly, on the shaft 54, thereby exposing the material, and those parts of the machine which are below the radius arms 56 and the chain 59.

i The drive for the lower sprocket chain 65 comprises the belt 9, one of the pulleys 8, the shaft 7, the pinion 11, the gear wheel 12, the shaft 14, the beveled 'nion 76, the beveled the shaft 4, the pinion 73, the gear. wheel 72, the shaft 71, the sprocket wheel 70, the chain 69, the sprocket wheel 68, the shaft 61, and the sprocket wheel 63.

The mechanism lastabove described constitutes means for creasing the wrapped tamale material transversely, at intervals,

-and for advancing the material through the folder 43.

At its rear end, the frame 1 is provided at its sides (Figure 2) with standards 78 (Figure 1) wherein is ournaled (Figure 7) an uppershaft 79, a lower shaft 80 being journaled in-the standards, below the upper shaft 79. There is a gear wheel 81 on one end of the shaft 61, and this gear wheel meshes with a reversing pinion 82 journaled on the frame, the reversing pinion meshing with a gear wheel 83 on one end of the lower opposite end of the shaft 80 carrying a gear wheel 87 meshing with a ar wheel 88 on the corresponding end of the shaft 79, as shown in Figure 7. A roller is mounted on the shaft 7 9, and the shaft 80 cargies a roller 84, the rollers 84 and 85 being nipped with cooperating cutter blades. The blades 86 may be of any desired number, and may be located as desired on the respective rollers. It is preferred, however, that the blades 86 be so located that they will sever the wrapped tamale material at spaced creases 89, (Figure 1) so that the rate to advance the product, as it leaves the machine, is in such shape that it may be folded or doubled at aninterrqediate crease 90, to brin its ends together, before the product is inserted end-,

wise, in doubled form, into a can.

It hasbee'n pointed out hereinbefore how the shaft 61 is driven, and at this point it is necessary to state no more than that when the shaft 61 is rotated, the'gear wheel 81, cooperating with the pinion 82, imparts rotation to the gear wheel 83, the lower shaft 80 being rotated, and rotation being imparted to the upper shaft 79 b the intermeshing gear wheels 87 and 88 of igure 7, the rollers 84 and 85 turning in fixed relation with respect to each other, so that the cutters 86 on the rollers will coact to sever the wrapped material, into the form shown at the extreme right handend of Figure 1..

Finally, the device embodies mechanismfor carrying away the wrapped and severed tamale. Having this end in mind, the tamale passes upon a downwardly inclined chute 92, located at the rear end of the machine, the tamale moving from the chute 92 upon the upper run of a conveyor belt 93, the upper run of the conveyor belt passing through and traversing a support 94 which extends from the rear end of the machine. The. conveyor belt 93 moves beneath a guide roller 95 which is journaled on the legs 3. The conveyor belt 93 is engaged about a roller 96 on the shaft 71, and since the drive for the shaft 71 has been explained already, that portion of the operation of the device need not be repeated.

The operation of the machine has' been outlined hereinbefore, step by step, in connecti eargvith the various component mechanisnis, but, by way of rsum, it will be understood that the plastic tamale material 'is forced out through the 3 out 34 by the conveyor or feed screw 30. i material is delivered in a continuous stream on the wrapper 100, which moves in a continuous length from the reel-spool 50, the folder 43 engaging the wrapper 100 about the tamale strip, as the strip and the wrapper are advanced by the action of the cooperating chain cleats 60 and 66, these -cleats creasmg the wrapped material, as at 77 too he plastic in Figure 1, the cutters 86' severing the wrapped materialto form the product which is shown on the chute 92 ,at the right hand end of Figurel.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is v 1. In a machine of the class described, means for delivering a continuous strip of material on a continuous length of wrapper, a folder comprising parts which engage the wrapper about the material when the wrap er and the material are advanced, and mec anism for creasing the wrapped material at points s aced apart longitudinally of the wrappe material, the creasing away from the material to he 2. In a machine of the class; described,

-for en gin Iembodjiiig games helt lik members elemen mean an means for driving one'bf 'said mem for mounting one of said forswinging movement toward and away froin the other of said member: and and mechanism for carrying a continuous length of wrapperfmechanism for feeding a-con tinuoiis length of material the wraaper, a folder alon which the may! an material. pass, the folder em yi'nginean'a' the wrapper about the material w en t e w p and the are 'advahcedfand drivenqneans' 'forashifting constitnting me the material within the wrapper and 'with 'resp'eet to-'the-'- wrapper, thereb' to form creases 1n both the wrapper an -the mate:

rial atspaeed said driven means anism fei- 'advancingthe wrapper and the *"material we the f through the 3. In a machine of the class described, mechanism for carrying a continuous length of "wrap r, mechanism for feeding a continuous ength of material on the wra per, a folder along which the wrap r an the material pass, the folder embo ying means for engaging the wrapper aboutthe material when the wrapper and the material are nature's.

JOSEPH A; GAGE. v BER gaJOHNS OR an means for sever 

